Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-08-04
The JACKSON WHITES.
q Depra red Race with Mormon Habit.
Living In New jersey.

In the range known as the ClosteF
Mountains, in Bergen County, n. j.,
lives tribe of nondescripts known to
| the denizens of the surrounding baili-
wicks as the jackson Whites" So
far as can be ascertained these people
have no Other. name, and as to its de-
riVation even the Oldest inhabitantk ens
not. The home of the tribe is in the
densest part of the mountains and
within short walk of Englewood, and
for the precarious existence they enjoy
the jackson Whites forage literally on
the farmers.
The jackson Whites are for the most
part understood, and their complexion
is cross between that of last years
dishclout and that of a mauve mule.
They have banjo-head features, queer
eyes and hair that might be like that
of the Caucasian if it could be intro
duced to comb. They speak
fair English and good Jersey
Dutch" and enthusiastically pay
their debts. In their season blackber-
ries. whortleberries, wild strawberries
and other fruit are the principal arti-
Giles of commerce of Jackson White.
In the winter time he becomes hunts
man, and rabbits and squirrels are his
special game. These are disposed of
for their value in liquor, and when he
can't get squirrels or rabbits he raises
chickens by vandalizing the nearest
poultry-yards. Once in a while a
Jackson White so far forgets himself
as to work little. He is firm be-
lever in woman's rights, however, and
will never permit himself to be so IN
gallant as to work if any of his wives
are about. In the harvest season the
women of the tribe can be seen en-
gagged IN the hay, Oat, corn, rye. buck
wheat. pea, tomato. turnip or potato
fields of Bergen County, while their male
friends hold down the top-rails of the
adjoining fences earnestly awaiting the
arrival of payday. Then they visit
the nearest village inn, and men and
women alike flock about the bars. In
many cases the women can Outdrink
the men.
By climbing the mountain high over
half-trodden path and through brake,
briar, bush and bramble, an abode that
resembles a dog-house, with an invert-
ed coal-shute atop, was finally reached.
Gentle knocks, and the accommodate
ing and hospitable, door tumbles in
ward and discloses the contents of the
ramshackle habitation. 1t swarms
with dogs of all sizes and descriptions.
The animals having been quieted by
rough voice, the proprietor of the
voice energies from his kennel.
"Well, watcher want?" comes from
a yellow-visaged individual, who has
not enough clothing on to wad a gun.
The writer produced his bottle and
this served as the best Introduction.
The Jackson White became friendly
and offered to pilot the visitor through
the village, or, rather, shantyage. A
peep inside his hut discovered three
women and at least dozen children
in all degrees of age, size, dirt and de-
collete.
''All your family?" was asked.
He misinterpreted the question.
mot ALL" he said, 1.-TWO of ems down
in the village washin'.'
Your sisters, or daughters?''
''Hulnph! my wimmen-them three"
pointing to the adults. "T'other's
my kids
How many wives have youP''
Five now this summer, so far; IL
mebbe have mo-, mebbe less, TO sum-
mer's over"
At this point half-nude girl, proba-
bly, fifteen years of age, came out
''She your wife?"
GNixev Darteri''
The young woman, who, with lit
tie soap, might have been decidedly
pretty, was nursing little one.
''Not 'xactly mar'd," said the Jack
son White, ..but lives with a Teller
down the slope. He's got mon he
wants now. He'll take her back agin'
when he gets tired of t'others.
care all the men as well fixed for
families as you?''
''Some's good, some wuss."
"How do you support them?''
He looked as if he pitied the in
quirer's unsophisticatedness.
They wuck. 1 hain't got time
"What do you dop"
Sometimes hunt, sometimes fish,
sometimes loaf"
(Which do you like best?'
.'Oh, I take it as it come. Hain't
perticklerr'
As near as could be judged. there
were about two hundred people in
the settlement, and all this within
twenty-five miles of New York.-M y
World.